Computerised assessment of autonomic influences of yoga using spectral analysis of heart rate variability

Experience with frequency domain analysis of the heart rate variability suggests that it represents an effective non-invasive tool for cardiac risk stratification and assessment of autonomic function, e.g. in diabetes and hypertension, in both the experimental and clinical settings. This method can be used to assess the acute influence of yoga and short-time moderate exercise on the autonomic cardiac regulation. The immediate decrease of sympathetic and increase of parasympathetic activity after yoga was demonstrated in a preliminary study.